What happens after the death of Pope?

With the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the world has not only lost a deeply influential religious leader but also entered a historic moment of transition. For the 1.4 billion Roman Catholics around the globe, the Pope is far more than a symbolic figure—he is a spiritual father, a global voice for moral leadership, and, in the eyes of the faithful, the successor to Saint Peter, who walked with Jesus.

So what comes next?

The end of a papacy, the start of a new chapter

Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years, leaving a legacy of reform, humility, and a strong focus on compassion. His death sets in motion a sacred and time-honoured process that dates back centuries: the election of a new Pope.

But first comes the farewell.

In a departure from elaborate papal traditions, Francis had requested a simpler funeral. Gone are the triple coffins of cypress, lead, and oak. Instead, he will be buried in a modest wooden casket lined with zinc. Rather than lying on a raised platform in St Peter’s Basilica, his body will rest quietly in the coffin with the lid removed—allowing mourners to say goodbye without the pageantry of the past.

In another break with tradition, Francis will be the first Pope in over a century not buried in Vatican soil. He chose instead the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, a site close to his heart and one of the Church’s four major papal basilicas.

Destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring

When a pope dies, one of the most important figures in the Vatican springs into action: the Cardinal Chamberlain, or Camerlengo in Italian. That role is currently held by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, a 77-year-old American of Irish descent.

Following tradition, the Camerlengo, senior Vatican officials, and members of the late pope’s family gather in a chapel for a solemn ceremony. The pope’s body is placed in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, dressed in red—the traditional colour of papal mourning—with his mitre and pallium laid beside him.

After the ceremony, the Camerlengo performs several key duties. He officially certifies the death by drafting a document that includes the attending doctor’s report. He then takes on the responsibility of securing the pope’s personal papers and sealing off his living quarters. In Pope Francis’s case, that means a section of the second floor of the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where he lived throughout his papacy—eschewing the grandeur of the Apostolic Palace for a simpler lifestyle.

One of the most symbolic acts comes next: the destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring. Traditionally used to seal official documents, the ring is smashed with a ceremonial hammer, marking the end of the pope’s authority and ensuring it can never be used to forge documents in his name.

The church enters ‘Sede Vacante’

Following the Pope’s death, the Catholic Church enters a period known as “sede vacante”—Latin for "the seat being vacant." During this time, all major decisions are paused, and the governance of the Church passes temporarily to the College of Cardinals.

This body of senior Church officials—252 cardinals in total, though only 138 are under 80 and eligible to vote—will soon be called to Rome for the sacred conclave.

Inside the conclave: An election like no other

Held in total secrecy within the walls of the Sistine Chapel, the conclave is both a spiritual and political event. The cardinals, sworn to silence, vote up to four times a day. Their ballots are burned after each round.

The world watches the chimney.

Black smoke signals indecision.

White smoke means a new Pope has been chosen.

It’s a powerful, almost theatrical moment—millions gather in St Peter’s Square, holding their breath for that puff of white, for the words: “Habemus Papam”—"We have a Pope."

Who will be the next Pope?

Technically, any baptised Catholic man can become Pope. But in reality, the cardinals almost always elect one of their own.

In 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, the first South American and the first Jesuit to hold the position. His papacy brought new attention to the poor, the environment, and interfaith dialogue. Now, attention turns to which region might lead next.

Will the cardinals stay with a non-European choice, reflecting the Church’s growing presence in the Global South? Or will they return to tradition and choose another Italian—as they have done for 217 of the Church’s 266 popes?

A moment of global significance

While the process of selecting a new Pope may be ancient, its implications are decidedly modern. The next pontiff will face a world grappling with climate change, war, economic inequality, and rising secularism. He will also inherit internal challenges—from addressing clerical abuse scandals to navigating complex debates around doctrine, inclusivity, and Church reform.

But above all, he will be called to lead with moral clarity in a fractured world.

As the bells toll in Rome and white smoke is awaited once again, the question hangs in the air: Who will carry the keys of Saint Peter into the future?